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iOS 5.1.1 Addresses Bugs

Apple today released iOS 5.1.1, a bug-fix update that addresses a handful of disclosed issues for all iOS 5-compatible devices. From Apple’s tech note, iOS 5.1.1:

Improves reliability of using HDR option for photos taken using the Lock Screen shortcut

Addresses bugs that could prevent the third-generation iPad from switching between 2G and 3G networks

Fixes bugs that affected AirPlay video playback in some circumstances

Improves reliability for syncing Safari bookmarks and Reading List

Fixes an issue where an “Unable to purchase” alert could be displayed after successful purchase

Apple has not yet released information about the security content of the update on the Web, but the Apple Product Security mailing list reports that security fixes address a Safari vulnerability that enabled a malicious Web site to spoof the address in the location bar, multiple cross-site scripting vulnerabilities in WebKit, and a memory corruption vulnerability in WebKit.

To get iOS 5.1.1, do one of the following:

In iTunes, select the iOS device in the sidebar and click Check for Update on the Summary screen. The download in iTunes will be very large — up to 1 GB in size — so don’t use this option if you’re in a hurry or low on disk space on your Mac.

On the device itself, go to Settings > General > Software Update. The direct-to-device update is much smaller — in the 40 MB to 50 MB range, and will thus be a much faster download.

Comments about iOS 5.1.1 Addresses Bugs(Comments are closed.)

Why is thaere is such a size difference between the upgrade methods. I had my IPhone 3GS bricked when I went to 5.0. I got an error 29 and neither I nor Apple could restore it. I used the later of the two methods. So is there any preference as to which is the safer?

Our belief is that with the iTunes method, Apple is storing the file locally because historically that was how you restored the phone from scratch. It's not clear if restoring still uses that file or not.

Regardless, the on-device upgrade needs to be a small file because there likely isn't room for a big one. That was a major change in how Apple did updates for iOS 5.

Yes. The update on the device itself is a delta update, and only includes the changed elements. The larger update in iTunes is a full image. Sort of like the "combo" Mac OS X updater that you can download separately from what appears in Software Update.